Utah ranks 4th in the nation in fatal auto-pedestrian crashes in intersections
Oct 29, 2024, 9:00 PM
FILE: Officials investigate a fatal pedestrian accident on 700 East between 700 and 800 South in Salt Lake City on Tuesday Oct. 2, 2024. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah did not fare well in a review of fatal auto-pedestrian crashes. According to information provided by the National Highway Safety Administration, and analyzed by personal injury lawyers, Utah is the 4th worst state in the country for such crashes.
The DeMayo Law Office analyzed fatal crashes between 2018 and 2022 and found that 195 pedestrians were killed in that period. Of those, 73 pedestrians were killed at an intersection.
That number left Utah fourth in the survey, where 37.44% of pedestrians were killed in fatal crashes at intersections between 2018 and 2022.
New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota each had higher numbers of pedestrian deaths.
Other key findings:
- the vast majority, 70% of pedestrians killed in crashes were male,
- alcohol involvement, for the driver or pedestrian, was associated with 48% of the fatal crashes,
- nearly 1 out of every 4 pedestrians killed in fatal crashes in 2022 were hit by hit-and-run drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, in 2022, 7,522 pedestrians were killed in the United States. The administration reported that was the highest such number since 1981.
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these safety tips for drivers as well as pedestrians.
Simone Seikaly contributed.
Related reading:
- Three pedestrians involved car accidents have SLCPD reminding the public about road safety
- Red Cross of Utah offers safety tips for this Halloween
- UDOT debuts cutting-edge technology set to make intersections safer
